"Ranran, regarding the document we applied for a room in our school...why did you make a mistake?"

"Hm? Which one?" She shift her head to her friend Takuma while Emiko, Shinichi and Ran were walking home using the same route after having parted ways with the two eldest members.

"You know the one? When you asked me to hand over the form for a spot for tantei association under school grounds, for some reason, Michio's name is on it instead of yours."  The cap boy pointed out.

"Ooi, how is it that you knew about it? Were you with her when she or Shinichi applied for the venue?" Ran couldn't help but asked.

"It's not surprise he knew anyway, since his girlfriend is the head of student council within our school. He has access to her office" Emiko recalled based on the athlete's intel.

"Mou! You didn't have to bring that out, alright?" Takuma is a bit red faced.

"Why shouldn't she? It's common knowledge that you and her are in a relationship anyway. Also, I have been both of your third wheel far too long." Ranran said teasingly while his ears became redder at that thought.

Hikari Takuma and Matsuyuki Reina both started dating after Ranran managed to prove his innocence regarding the air football release scandal in their school. Before this, they were next door neighbours who were joined to the hip, since they were the only two existing kids in the retiree community neighbourhood they were both living in. Neither of them actually knew a child their age exist right next to each other since all they ever come across were old folks, till the unthinkable happened.

Having been born 4 months premature, his health wasn't the best for a then 5 year old Hikari Takuma. So his whole life he had gone in and out of the hospital, with the most downcast look etched on him. The only thing that made things brighter, was when a girl his age was too checked into the hospital and patient room he was in. No one could've guess it back then, but at that time, the Takuma anyone would know back then was whiny and often complaining 24/7.

Oh yes, he was as grumpy as a grinch on Christmas. But no one could blame him with the many medical treatments he has to endure on a daily basis. It was unbearable, so whenever he lash out on his parents, they let him willingly. Of course there were times his family tried to coax him on being positive, at times, even tried to inspire him to be like those other children who had a sweet temper despite being under the same shoes as him. Considering they are human, it's only fair they would at times snap at him for being at times unreasonable on wanting to die. After all, his mother was deemed barren, so to selfishly want him to be alive is a must.

But no, Hikari Takuma couldn't be bothered to.

Why should he pretend to smile when things aren't progressing? What is the point? Is life actually like that? All about smiling, even when one is genuinely upset? Even the Japan variety shows he watched, he can't help but notice whenever the hosts or people eat a ramen or anything up to their disposal, they would overly exaggerate that the food taste good, when in reality, he is certain they were paid more to say such things to entice others to buy their stuff according to his Korean step-grandmother.

Before she moved into his ward, he used to have the ward to himself. The thought of him sharing was awful, as there was only one Tv.

And TV is a big deal for him, to kill time rather than be reminded on being bedridden, let alone, be confined within this 4 white walls. The thought of him sharing with another patient his age, let alone, a girl irks him. Don't get him wrong, he doesn't look down on girls. After all, he looks up to his mother who is a director of a company. But he hates it, their idiot interest on gossiping nonsense on who their future husbands are. As if they had no aspiration.

Then finally, on the day this girl moved into his ward, he was out attending another appointment, accompanied by his parents before he left to head back to his ward. Again, he couldn't be bothered to listen to the grim news surrounding his illness, right now, he had a match he is eager to watch. Mainly American Football.

The thing that make him happiest was whenever a match between his favourite team takes place, he always cheered for them from his bed eagerly. 

But to his shock, he spots a weakling girl lying on bed in her patient gown, wearing an opposing rival team Football supporter clothes, yelling profanities to his favorite team. 

It was at this point, was when he knew...life was going to be difficult for him.

It's one thing to have a girl his age to like gossiping without facts, but its another...when one insults his favorite Football team.

So Takuma did what any child would do in his position, put up all sorts of schemes to kick her out. But some way or another, perhaps that they are on the same boat in terms of dealing with their illnesses, let alone, hated the idea of feigning positivity that is overly exaggerated in Japan culture, and their passion for Football, they bonded within 2 weeks and put their differences aside. Overtime, later things got better for both sides, and she was discharge first while he too left.

Since they swore to be comrades in the name of battling their respective diseases, neither of them left any contact in case the worst come to worst with their health. But then the unexpected happen: They met again under the same kindergarten, not to mention, same class.

Perhaps the most shocking thing was: They were each other's next door neighbors.

Gradually, the rest was history: They became friends, drifted apart during elementary school days why they try to find themselves, with both experiencing horrible situations from both perspective, it was Reina's option to drag Ranran in to restore Takuma's reputation that was what got them together towards the very end. Their relationship was to the school envied by many, not because they are cute alone, but also...the way they treated each other with respect. Ranran later got word of this through Reina while trying to establish her candidacy as student head council.

And by far, Ranran thinks this relationship is good. Though they are still young in terms of maturity, their experiences and their common hatred of Mamiko was enough to bring them together. Let alone, the other never forced other to do something they didn't like, unlike Ran and Shinichi, unlike Takuma's relationship with his ex. Also, as their third wheel, Ranran benefitted a lot.

In most romance dramas where the third wheel is always teased or forced into having a relationship presumably in the name of trend and privacy, they were the only ones who did not. And she was very involved in the many activities, including their dating activities, since Ranran was a natural born entertainer, let alone, schemer, they benefitted from her in having access to many expensive venues that neither she or them had to fork out a yen. In return, Ranran is given tons of access within the school compound, and also, intel within the school.

Oh no, Ranran did not solely relied on Reina alone, she even relied on social butterfly Takuma to get intel. Since Takuma is a natural when it comes to conversating with other children, it was easier for Ranran to get glimpse into the plans the other kids of interest she targets to manipulate behind-the-scenes for self-interest purposes. 

While Ran had Sonoko as the Queen of Drama, Ranran has Takuma, the formerly-fallen-yet-reformed-Football star Athlete.

Sure, Ranran knew Sonoko had huge presence within the school social scene. But Takuma is 100 times better, since unlike Sonoko, he hung out with the wrong crowd back then, enough for Ranran to manipulate rotten children left and right to ended up getting expel out of school overnight. Even better is that Takuma doesn't make things obvious unlike the idiot Sonoko. Thanks to the scandal that befallen on him in the past, he wasn't that stupid to make himself as evident as Sonoko within the social scene and had maintain a proper balance of his image under Ranran's advice, after learning through Reina that Ranran was her political campaign manager.

"I know that they are in a relationship, so it was obvious he probably come across the form you applied." The long brown haired girl named Ran pouted, before probing, "But don't you think that is a bit irresponsible? Mixing work with relationship? My dad said its bad."

"He isn't that much of an idiot, Mouri." Shinichi defended the athlete before explaining further, "He was with me when I applied for him, because around the same time, he was applying as leader for the American Football club and was later approved."

"Leader...now that you mentioned it..."Emiko recalled something she come across in one of the intel collected about him, "Didn't Ranran kicked out every single of those boys back then?"

"It was reasonable, they tried to stage a Tik Tok video of me spilling a bucket of goo or something outside the school using a love letter as bait. Unfortunately, it backfired when Tak-san's ex thought it was meant for her." Ranran scoffed in annoyance over that incident, before adding in, "Anyway, the reason why Michio's name is on it is that I did it on purpose to deflect anyone from finding out that I am the founder."

"Eh? Why wouldn't you want anyone to know?" Ran questioned.

"I know why,"Emiko sighs as he interrupts, which Ran and the rest turned to the artist when they stopped walking to listen to the conversation, "Don't you get it? Why she put down his name on purpose?"

"No, I ain't as smart as you or Ranran, alright?" Ran admitted in embarrassment.

"Its to deflect anyone from finding out she is the founder, mainly to hide from criminals like The Snake. Correct?" Emiko gave Ranran a good look, which she could not be bothered to respond.

"Even so...why his name out of everyone anyway?" Takuma quizzically asked no one in particular.

"Won't that be like giving him the throne that makes him a king?" Ran pointed out.

"Baka, you two." Shinichi deeply sighs before he explains, "The reason she did so is to use his name as bait. Given that everyone knows of his mild manner personality, it would encourage criminals to go after him, while Ranran set traps onto them should anything go wrong."

"What!? And Michio agreed to it!? Becoming bait?" Ran jumped in surprise.

"Yeah, he did."Shinichi nodded.

"Why would he do that blows my mind at times..."Emiko couldn't help but frown at that boy's mental thoughts before having his name on the form, "When it comes to girls, he is as timid as a mouse, especially Junko. Yet, when it came to dangerous crap like doing those bike stunts and dangerous antics within the association, he has no fear like the both of you." She then gave a good look on Shinichi and Ranran.

"He has no father to guide him when it comes to dealing with girls, mainly Junko, what do you expect?" Takuma rolled his eyes before ranting, as the four continue their walk,"I swore that if his father was around, Junko will never have any control over him."

"Takuma, don't be harsh on Michio, alright?! Not everyone without a father turns out as he does. And as for Junko, could she help it? He always never bothers to respond to her affections. If only he was that upfront. Just say 'no' if he doesn't, is it too much to ask?" Ran blasted at his insensitivity.

Upfront? That boy never said anything because he knew Junko long enough to know she will never accept a no. Also, why should he respond? It was as if he owed her.

Ranran did a background digging regarding this issue during the events of 'The extinction Heist'. By all accounts, Michio did like Junko like that, but then when they started school here, he never said anything. Now one would say Michio is in the wrong since he was 'shy', but Ranran noted there is more to it after digging high and low into this.

And since Ranran knows 'the reason' behind this, she ended up rolling her eyes at that thought before stating to the girl, "Then Mouri, if you were in her shoes, would you politely leave the association? Let alone, stop any harassment of the girls he is interested in. Not to mention, stop ruining his happiness?"

Ranran's words suddenly made Ran freeze, as she suddenly realized they finally made it to her place, which is upstairs above a cafe. "Well? What are you doing standing here? You are home, are you not?" Ranran pointed at the windows upstairs, reading out 'Mouri Detective Agency (毛利探偵事務所' in Japanese, with the lights all lit up from the inside.

Having awoken from her shock, Ran apologized and waved at them goodbye, before rushing upstairs in haste while the other children watched.

"I think you are a bit too harsh on Ran, are you not? It seems evident that you are directing your words not just on Junko alone." Emiko gave a stern look at the harsh red lip girl.

"She ain't. Sometimes in life, if one isn't told off, they will continue down the wrong path beyond return." Noticing Shinichi's sombre expression as he defended his mentor, Emiko who noticed his tone having switched to sorrow confronted the apprentice, "You talked as if you experienced it first hand."

"Of course I did, and I deserved every second of it." Shinichi was suddenly reminded of that night when he broke into Ranran's house, that was a serious wake-up call he needed desperately to get his priorities straight.

Even Takuma too had a change of expression, recalling the time Ranran told him off about going after affections from his former friends that can never give him the same way as he did.

Having recovered from their reminiscing their harsh memories, the boys decided all of them shouldn't stand still and head home. They are going to have a long day later on.

After the children left Ran's place, unbeknownst to them, Ran who was looking down from her father's office at Ranran muttered to herself bitterly while her drunk father fell asleep on the chair, "That bloody girl! Who is she to say she is a victim when she is the one who is manipulating Shinichi!"

.....

WHEN everyone had left, Michio wandered through into his mother's jewelry shop from their HQ. Several customers were still browsing around while his mum tidied up the counter.

Majima's mother as far as he could recalled as a child...was a very attractive woman, that no man is worthy of her yet aside of his late father. Standing 5' 2" tall, this fair skinned woman although is born youthful looking, she had at times the aura of a naive child. With big, brown eyes, defined cheekbones and a sharp chin, there at times people mistook her as a college student, till people would realize she had a son.

Then again, it wasn't a surprise given that she married young in her 20's. In their community, or maybe their odd culture, people are encourage to married young to bear children. While most children fear the thought of their parent remarrying after losing a parent, Michio was different. He wants his mother to marry.

And it wasn't without reason. When his father passed away as a baby, she never once took care of herself and solely focus her attention on looking after Michio. Many people around her pressured her to give him up for adoption since she was still in her early 20's without a diploma or degree, not in a position financially to raise him, but she put her foot down and had severed ties with those people since. Including parents from both hers and her husband's side.

Though her husband's parents was a slightly different case. They demanded custody of Michio, solely blamed his mother since she pressured their only son, Michio's dad, to sell of the motorbike, which is what led to his early demise in the first place. 

Michio learn all of this when he turned 5, after having heard a drunken confession from his late auntie Ruth one day, upon having returned to Japan due to terminal illness and manage to salvage the situation with his mother with the money she has. Years later, his paternal grandparents awoken to their senses and feeling rather apologetic, sent her money to look after Michio, since their only son passed away in a motorbike accident. At first, she rejected their money, but gradually, maybe it was for the sake of her son getting to know his father, she reluctantly let him had contact with them till their deaths when Michio turned 9.

Now that they are all financially stable, Michio thinks its time his mother moved on from the past. After all, she shouldered far too many burdens focusing on his welfare alone, its about time she be taken care of. But maybe he thinks he might be asking too much, since she is a widower and single mother regardless. And in Japan, not many people are entertained with the idea on marrying someone with baggage.

Michio sometimes wondered whether she will ever find another respectable man to take his father's place in her life if they move far away from Japan. He is certain in a western country, people would oversee this. He often heard stories from Ranran about the Queen's son, the crown prince in the U.K, where the eldest married a divorcee with three children, and they had a long marriage. 

Then again, it might be a tall order. Michio's later father had always been a very brave, respectable policeman and his mother still treasured his memory, so moving on might be harsh on her. Though he would want his mother to move on, as he knows his dad would agree with him on that, another part of him too feared whether that man who would be his step-dad be a nice man towards him.

Cause after hearing stories from Ranran where she first-hand witnessed most children from step-families suffering brutal physical and emotional abuse, as she details it in the cruelest detail, he has no idea what to think. That girl...whenever he sees her blue eyes, sometimes he swear he can see the right one would discolour into emerald green in contrast to her left blue eye, expressing a void blank expression as if she had seen and experienced what hell is truly like.

"Okasan," he greeted her. "What do know you about....rubies?"

Today, in the name of the case, he is going to ask the gem expert, who is none other than his mother. His mother looked surprised. "Since when have you been interested in gems?" she wanted to know.

To avoid letting her know he is working on a case, Michio winked. "We were talking about birthstones earlier for assignment purposes."

His mother was about to tell him not to get mixed up in anything dangerous but changed her mind. She ran a hand through her hair while she gather her thoughts." Well, rubies are red and very expensive," she began. "They're the birthstone for anyone who was born in July."

Michio knows this, but decides to continue looking into it further by asking, "Alright, then...do you know of any Ruby from Afghanistan? Mainly...one involving a Maharaja couple?"

"A ruby involving a Maharaja....?" The mother thought about it before snapping her finger, "Oh yeah! I think I know of one. We studied about it in university back then."

"Yeah, that one." Michio tried to jog her memory, "Anything you know about the ruby?"

"Hmm...that is nothing much I can share, except the lengths they took to obtain it only to lose the stone, Michio." Suddenly she stopped when she noticed her son wasn't listening.Нe turned away and was craning his neck toward the front of the shop.

"That girl...I don't think I saw her before, do we?" he whispered

His mother followed his gaze to where a young, smartly dressed girl in school uniform was inspecting a rack of necklaces and pendants. The girl looked like she lived in a rich neighborhood, given the badge and the quality of the dark blue blazer, grey vest fitting around her white blouse uniform she was dressed in made it all so obvious. With her wavy black hair tied very neatly to a pony tail, she look very innocent looking with her cute features.

"I haven't seen her before either, Majima," The woman frowned. "Something about the girl seemed to worry her, "I wonder what she's looking for?"

"Leave her to me, Okasan,"Michio shot her a grin and weaved his way through the displays toward the mysterious girl.

But when he got closer, Michio's heart skipped a beat. 

With grey legged stockings and tidied brown loafers, not to mention, this aura of...sophistication and dignity, similarly to Ranran whenever she comes by, his legs turned to jelly. He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. He had never seen a more beautiful girl in his life.

The difference between that girl and Ranran was...she seems to be around his or Emiko's age in terms of height and all. Initially unaware of his existence, the girl soon became aware he was staring at her she turned and arched a curious eyebrow. "Oh, hi," she said coldly, "Are you here to pester me into dating you or something? If so, I think you should leave."

"What!? No! Of course not!"Michio felt his cheeks burning, as he soon realizes this girl had some reminders of Ranran's traits when they first met. 

Cold, not corporative, and dignified. Like a...girl from a different world. But he can't tell how to put it into words.

Clearing his throat, he explained, "This is my Okasan's shop," he replied in a tight voice. "I'm Majima Michio, my mother noticed you been browsing here a while. Is there anything you need?" She leaned across the necklaces and pendants, and Michio could smell her sweet perfume. Which reminded him, "Uh...can I ask you something?"

"Yes?" The girl turned to him.

"Uh....don't get me wrong, but...your school allowed you to wear perfume?"

"Hah?!"

"Look, I am sorry. But..."Michio suddenly pointed out, "I can't help but smell perfume around you, and most schools we know of here...don't allow us to wear it. Even if it was an expensive brand, like the one you are currently using: Fifth avenue."

The girl is a little taken aback at his response, "You can tell what brand I am using? Let alone, the name?"

"I have an acute sense of smell growing up. Clients here like to wear perfumes of all kinds, so for fun, I used to ask what sort of perfume do they use."

Michio wasn't joking around, since the rules of every school in Japan, let alone, schools of all ages are a little extreme to his knowledge according to Takuma, thanks to his girlfriend who often meet other children from different elementary schools. One of the rules that are taken seriously are make-up and perfume aren't allowed for children to use under school grounds, as the government here wants to emphasize that education is above everything else.

But that normally lies on government schools, according to the founder of tantei association Kudo Ranran, there are some schools, mainly the ones away from the government control like the ones the blue eye girl used to attend lack those kinds of rules, as they are a little more lax.

"Ah, so it's no wonder you can tell just by a sniff?" She breathed, her eyes sparkling at that thought. "Our school actually allows us to wear it. Just as long as it isn't overpowering, and the principal only allowed for those children who had bad body odor to use it. I would've gone for deodorant, but this smell was to my liking."

"Ah...is that so," Michio mumbled, thinking that the principal must be a nice individual for children, before pondering what sort of school this girl was in would give them such freedom. Out of curiosity, he questioned, "What sort of school do you enroll in?"

"A private school for the elite."

"Ah, that made sense." Michio heard stories of such schools growing up from other adults, even in the world of anime there is a such privilege. It also explains the school uniform quality looking so pristine, unlike their former school uniform in Teitan Elementary, so cheap and tacky. "Our uniform...they never paid that much attention to tailoring it or have it well made. That's why all of the children back there, including myself, felt rather annoyed with the uniform we wear."

"How unusual...I thought boys your age wouldn't be bothered by this sort of thing." She smiled in amusement.

"Well...I grew up around my mother who is an aspiring jewel designer, so..." He chuckled nervously.

"That's nice. Do I see a future clothes or jewelry designer in the works? If so, would you be my only personal designer?" she teased him

"Ah ha ha, I ain't that good in drawing unfortunately. I only have my mother's influence when it came to fashion. Also, the boys in our school look down on this sort of thing as they think it makes us wimps,  so...." Michio felt his face turn a deeper shade of red.

"There is nothing wrong, as long the passion and drive are there, so be it. Also, who said a boy can't enjoy this sort of thing? Our school openly encourage this regardless of gender." The girl gave a good look at Majima, a little amuse by this conversation, "This is the first time I had a boy ask me about the quality of my uniform rather than calling my face cute or something. You really are something." She chuckled, as Michio noted her smile is rather radiant. 

"Is it?" He scratched himself nervously.

"It is." The girl smiled a little wider as she went on, "All the boys in my school always come after me over my looks." She then decided, "You know...since you are the only one who ever commented on my clothes, I think we should get to know each other. Shall we...go on a date so I can get to know you better? Next Monday?"

Michio thought his eyes would pop out of their sockets. Him? Someone...as average as him...being asked out by a girl from a different world?

"That'd be... so cool," He heard himself saying this before he could think.

The girl plucked a pen and notepad from her bag and jotted down her smartphone number, "Promise you'll call me, Majima Michio?"

Michio held the slip of paper and nodded."But you haven't told me your name," he reminded her numbly.

She held out her hand above the jewelry, "I ain't from here actually. Since I like to keep things a mystery, you can call me Adeline."

"I'm Michio," he blurted. When he shook her hand, it felt a little icy cold. Then again, it was still Winter, and she wasn't wearing a pair of gloves, so that made sense. "Wait here, I hand you something."

Puzzled, he left her shortly only to return with a pair of glove. "This is my pair of worn of glove when I was younger, it might not be much, but I noted your hands are cold. I hope this keep you warm."

Surprised, she accepted it and put it on her. Observing the pair of brown gloves, she commented, "It does keep me warm." She then smiled to Michio, "Thanks Majima. After what you did, I can tell I won't regret our date." 

He watched as Adeline turned and left the shop without looking back. "Well?"

Michio jumped at the sound of his mothers voice. He spun round, quickly pocketing the piece of рaper."Her name is Adeline," he told his mother: "I asked her for her phone number and we're going on a date."

Now children going on dates are no secret, let alone, in this community for that matter. Especially around Michio's age group, he knows of several kids who are in a relationship, they even went as far as to declare it. For now, this is going to be his first, and that made him very nervous.

Though his mother ain't against it,"I don't think Junko will be very happy about that," his mother reminded him sharply.

Michio and Junko actually knew each other way back since kindergarten, and when they were growing up, his mother used to recall Michio always coming home with a smile on his face whenever it came to Junko. But then years later, as they got older, she could tell Junko is the one smiling while her son isn't.

At first, his mother pushed it off as 'figuring oneself' phase. But then when her son announced wanting to join Tantei Association without telling Junko, she knew something wasn't quite right. Even more so when Junko contacted her to inform that she is worried for Michio's mental state. To her, Junko is like the daughter she never had, as she was aware of her family situation, mainly, her questionable mother. 

But Mio always knew that Junko ain't like her mother, and she relied on the spectacle girl to keep an eye on her son, mainly since that he is getting involved with the daughter of the Kudo family, Kudo Ranran, who seem to have people around her suffering all sorts of unexpected events coincidentally despite being 6-years of age. Even more shocking was the recent case involving guns at the mine, Mio almost fainted when her son was involved and got details over what happened between the client and children. 

"Why should I be worried over that?"Michio stared at her in disbelief as he huffed, "Junko is not my girlfriend or anything. We are not in a relationship officially."

At first, the woman was going to argue, but then deep down, she knew he was right. They were not official, and Junko although told her she had feelings for her son, her son's feelings about her are...perplexing. 

Also, the thought of Junko's mother becoming her in-law in the future would be....life ruining.

After Junko's mother was discovered to have done 'that', something so unforgivable, the community remain harsh onto her for many reasonable grounds even though it happened decades ago, mainly the Kudo family, who had such hostility towards the mother than they sent her to live where she and Junko were now: At the worst part of their neighborhood.

As Michio left, Mio sometimes she wished she wasn't still a widow. Michio was growing up fast and needed a father. If her husband was still around...at least, he would know what to do.